To 'Stick: Farewell old friend

Tuesday

Dec 24, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Memories of the 'Stick in these random thoughts for a Tuesday:

Bob Highfill

Memories of the 'Stick in these random thoughts for a Tuesday:

» My parents have had 49ers season tickets for 40 years. On Monday, they hopped the 79x municipal bus from downtown San Francisco to Candlestick Park for the last time, unless the 49ers host a playoff game.

» Given the horrendous parking at the stadium, taking the bus was a good way to go.

» Alas, like many, my parents aren't ponying up for season tickets at the team's new digs set to open next season in Santa Clara, so Monday's game brought a sad end to their tradition.

» The 49ers moved from Kezar Stadium located at the southeast corner of Golden Gate Park to the 'Stick in 1971 and were one of the worst teams in the league for much of the decade. The stadium was down there, too, with its cement-hard artificial turf, awkward layout, maddening accessibility and parking, and lack of amenities. The artificial turf was replaced by natural grass in 1979, but the other problems remained.

» But in a way, the 'Stick's shortcomings were part of its charm and certainly less bothersome when owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. and coach Bill Walsh built a dynasty in the 1980s.

» My family attended many games at the 'Stick, including the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 10, 1982, against Dallas, which included the franchise's iconic moment - "The Catch" - when Dwight Clark snagged Joe Montana's desperation pass in the back of the end zone opposite where we were seated with 51 seconds remaining to give the 49ers a 28-27 lead.

» When the game ended, sheer pandemonium in the stands and on the field - strangers hugging and crying with joy, guys ripping chunks of turf out of the ground and holding them aloft with smiles like they had struck the mother lode. Thousands stuck around for a long time in disbelief of what they had just witnessed.

» The 1981 49ers, who came from nowhere to go 13-3 in the regular season, beat "America's Team" for their first NFC championship and the Bengals for their first Super Bowl title forever will stick with me.

» The 49ers' five Super Bowl championship teams from 1981 to 1994 called the 'Stick home and the current crop of players hope to bring a sixth Lombardi Trophy to the franchise as a final sendoff to the venerable venue.

» Goodbye Candlestick. In a sense, good riddance, but in another, thanks for the memories.